Gio Gonzalez Looking Like An All-Star
By Joseph Lopez
Around this time of year, many fans are casting their votes for major league baseball’s All-Star game. Fans across the nation can cast their votes for starters up to 25 times, and can catch the rosters announcement during the 2011 All-Star Game Selection Show on TBS this Sunday.
For A’s fans, not too many starters from Oakland will likely be selected, let alone mentioned. The Athletics haven’t played to their potential this season, as a mixture of injuries and offensive struggles have the team sitting in last place in the American League West.
Last season, the A’s had closer Andrew Bailey represent the team in the 2010 All-Star game. Starter Trevor Cahill was also named to the team, but was inactive.
This season, there are few players on this year’s A’s team deserving of an All-Star nod. According to the most recent All-Star vote update on MLB.com, there is little love for the green-and-gold. As usual, however, the Yankees and Red Sox are dominating the polls.
One player deserving of an All-Star nod is Oakland’s Gio Gonzalez. Gonzalez, 25, is 6-5 this season with a 2.59 ERA. His ERA ranks sixth-best for a starter in the American League, and he’s shown that he can strike batters out as well, as his K/9 rate ranks sixth in the AL (8.62).
Gonzalez is also holding opposing offenses to a .228 batting average this year. He could cut back on his walks (43 in 94 IP), but I’m sure the A’s are happy with the way Gonzalez has pitched this season.
Last year, Gonzalez went 15-9 with a 3.23 ERA in a very quiet breakout season. He’s gotten better with each season, and he’s definitely come a long way from his 2008 campaign, where he went 6-7 with a 5.75 ERA.
Over his last 10 starts, Gonzalez owns a 4-3 record along with a 2.53 ERA. The A’s have been hit hard with injuries this season, especially with their rotation, but Gonzalez has stepped up and is performing well this year.
The A’s may not have some of the premier names in the game, but Gio Gonzalez’s name is definitely on the rise. He’s also deserving of representing your Oakland Athletics at this year’s All-Star Game.